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The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) is beginning a process to designate a new marine sanctuary off California's Central Coast. NOAA published a notice of intent in the federal register yesterday, kicking off a public comment process.
The proposed Chumash National Heritage Marine Sanctuary would cover a 7,000-square-mile area of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The area is sacred to the Chumash tribes and is home to a huge amount of marine life. The Chumash sanctuary would also connect two existing sanctuaries—the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
Northern Chumash Tribal Council chairwoman Violet Sage Walker celebrated the news, noting that it is a crucial first step toward President Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent of the country's land and water by 2030.
“Successfully designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will protect ocean life, sacred Chumash sites, strengthen Indigenous communities, and serve as a model of environmental justice,” she said.
The designation process will require multiple stakeholder meetings and could last years. But the designation currently has the support of prominent California congress members, including Rep. Salud Carbajal, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Alex Padilla.
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